Research Associate

Research Associate

Company: University of Colorado Boulder

Job Location:

Category: Physics

Type: Full-Time

Requisition Number: 71294

Location: Boulder, Colorado

City: Boulder

State: Colorado

Employment Type: Research Faculty

Schedule: Full-Time

Posting Close Date: 16-Apr-2026

Date Posted: 14-Apr-2026

Job Summary

The University of Colorado Boulder invites applications for a Research Associate position in the group of Sadegh Yazdi at the Facility for Electron Microscopy of Materials (CU FEMM). CU FEMM hosts a state-of-the-art aberration-corrected Titan Themis S/TEM with unique capabilities for advanced nanoscale characterization. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of electron microscopy and artificial intelligence, focusing on the development of machine learning-enabled approaches for analyzing complex S/TEM datasets. The successful candidate will contribute to cutting-edge research in areas such as quantum materials, semiconductors, energy materials, nanoelectronics, and optoelectronic materials. The role emphasizes automation, high-throughput data analysis, and the development of next-generation microscopy workflows, with strong opportunities for high-impact publications and interdisciplinary collaboration.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

RASEI (pronounced RAY-see) is a joint institute between the CU Boulder and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) addressing meaningful, multifaceted problems in energy that require a multidisciplinary, multi-institutional approach. Our mission is to expedite solutions that transform energy by advancing renewable energy science, engineering, and analysis through research, education, and industry partnerships.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Develop and apply advanced S/TEM methodologies, with an emphasis on 4D-STEM.
• Design and implement AI/ML-driven workflows for automated and high-throughput data analysis.
• Develop and apply models to understand short-range ordering and nanoscale structure-property relationships in advanced materials.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across materials science, physics, engineering, and data science.
• Contribute to scholarly publications, grant proposals, and collaborative research initiatives.

What We Can Offer

The annual salary for this full-time position is $65,000.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be inspired. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• PhD in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Computational Science, or a related field.
• Strong expertise in S/TEM techniques, particularly 4D-STEM and related data analysis.
• Experience with machine learning / AI methods, especially neural networks for microscopy data analysis.
• Proficiency in Python and data-driven scientific computing workflows.
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Experience with density functional theory (DFT) or atomistic modeling.
• Background in defect characterization in functional materials.
• Experience with cryo-STEM or in situ electron microscopy techniques.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. Resume/CV.
2. Cover Letter.
3. One Reference Letter (Non-Confidential).
4. Optional: If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.

Please apply by April 16th, 2026 for consideration. Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.